Galatasaray have taken decisive steps toward parting ways with Senegalese international Ismail Jakobs following a disappointing season that failed to justify the club’s investment in the player.
Jakobs joined the Turkish giants on loan from AS Monaco in August 2024, in a deal that included a mandatory purchase clause estimated at €10 million.
However, less than a year into his tenure in Istanbul, the 25-year-old left-back finds himself on the verge of an early exit.
Despite accumulating over 1,300 minutes of playing time across 19 appearances, Jakobs was unable to consistently deliver the level of performance Galatasaray had anticipated.
His time at the club has been marred by recurring injuries that severely impacted his availability and rhythm, forcing him to miss several key fixtures throughout the campaign.
The situation further deteriorated following the club’s strategic move during the winter transfer window. Galatasaray secured the services of Eren Elmalı, a promising young Turkish left-back, who quickly established himself as a reliable presence on the flank.
Elmalı’s strong performances not only stabilized the position but also pushed Jakobs further down the pecking order.
According to sources close to the club, Galatasaray’s technical staff and board now view the left-back role as one that demands physical reliability and consistent high-level output—qualities they believe Jakobs has not been able to demonstrate due to his fitness concerns.
The club has therefore begun exploring potential replacements who can serve as both a competitor and complement to Elmalı in the long term.
Though the deal with AS Monaco included an obligation to buy at the end of the loan spell, Galatasaray are actively seeking ways to move Jakobs on this summer.
This may involve negotiating a transfer with another club or potentially exploring alternative contractual solutions that would prevent the club from bearing the full financial burden of the original agreement.
Jakobs’ situation is a stark contrast to the optimism that surrounded his arrival last year.
The move from Ligue 1 to the Turkish Süper Lig was seen as a fresh start for the former Monaco man, who had shown glimpses of promise in France.
Yet the combination of injuries and inconsistent displays has made his stay in Istanbul far from the success many had hoped for.
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Galatasaray are expected to ramp up their search for a dependable left-back, while also working to secure a suitable departure plan for Jakobs.
For the Senegal international, the next few months will be critical in determining where his career heads next after what now appears to be a prematurely concluded chapter in Turkey.
